English Reference
Noun

internment

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˌɪnˈtɝnmənt/ UK /ɪntˈɜːnmənt/ in·tern·ment UK spelling internments

n.the act of keeping someone in a camp or prison for a long time, often because of their nationality or political beliefs. It is usually done by a government during a war or a crisis.

n.the act of detaining a person or group in a camp or prison, typically for a prolonged period and without trial. Often associated with wartime policies or political repression.


SIMPLE

The government's internment of Japanese citizens during the war is a controversial topic.

CONTEXTUAL

Historians continue to debate the legal justification for the internment of civilians during the conflict.

COMPLEX

The policy of internment was justified by the state as a necessary measure to prevent espionage, though critics argued it was a gross violation of civil liberties.

For McClaren, the moment carried eerie resonances to the Palmer Raids of 1919-1920, and the internment of Japanese Americans during the second world war.

The Guardian· 4 Sept 2026

From intern + -ment.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated